For part one of our preview click here.
ONE: “Eternal Glory” is the first of 24 cards the promotion has scheduled for 2019. It will also be the first show since the broadcast deal with Turner Sports in the US was signed, meaning the event will be streamed by B/R Live with re-airs on TNT.
The action gets underway this Sat. (Jan. 19, 2019) inside Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In the headliner, Joshua Pacio defends his strawweight title for the first time against Yosuke Saruta. The Japanese fighter is a replacement for the injured Hayato Suzuki and is coming off a decision win over former champion Alex Silva.
155lbs.: Kotetsu Boku vs. Bruno Pucci
If Bruno Pucci (6-3) can get this to the ground you would expect him to have his way with Kotetsu Boku (26-12-2). The Brazilian is a BJJ black belt and the Japanese veteran is not known for his submission skills.
However Boku hits hard and has several stoppage wins on his recent record. Pucci has already been knocked out three times in ONE Championship fights and that makes this one difficult to predict, although someone is almost certainly getting stopped.
125lbs.: Stefer Rahardian vs. Robin Catalan
Stefer Rahardian (8-2) has seen his momentum stalled by back to back decision defeats. One of those came at the hands of Ruel Catalan and the Indonesian faces his brother here.
Robin Catalan (8-4) comes from a Wushu background but doesn’t have quite as distinguished a record as Ruel in that sport. His four losses have all come at the hands of elite fighters and he he will want to use his striking as much as possible here.
135lbs.: Joseph Lasiri vs. Jonathan Haggerty (Muay Thai)
Joseph Lasiri has lost all three of his ONE Super Series fights to date although two of the losses came at the hands of elite Thai fighters and the recent decision defeat to Josh Tonna was very close.
Jonathan Haggerty also knows what it is like to face a top Thai, he was well beaten by Superlek Kiatmoo9 but fights in the traditional Thai style and is very dangerous with his elbows.
115lbs.: Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol vs. Puja Tomar
Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol (5-3) has won five out of her last six and is coming off back to back decision wins. She should have far too much for an opponent who is one of the smallest fighters in the division.
Puja Tomar (3-3) has been submitted in both her ONE Championship fights. You can’t question her heart but it is going to be tough for her to make the necessary improvements to her ground game while training in India.
155lbs.: Edward Kelly vs. Christian Lee
It’s difficult to find too many causes for optimism for Edward Kelly (11-5) here. Christian Lee (10-3) absolutely destroyed him in the first fight and is unlikely to make the type of mistake which would lead to another DQ defeat.
Lee is extremely aggressive but won’t want to trade kicks with the Team Lakay fighter. Expect him to land a (legal) takedown early on and then finish with ground and pound or a submission.
155lbs.: Alexi Serepisos vs. Mongkolpetch Petchyindeeacademy (Muay Thai)
The fighters will be wearing MMA gloves for this match which might make things more interesting but Mongkolpetch Petchyindeeacademy is vastly experienced and has faced elite competition at Channel 7 and Lumpinee stadium.
Alexi Serepisos has been in with ONE Super Series fighters Lerdsila Champairtour and Josh Tonna but lost both fights. The New Zealander will be an underdog here.
125lbs.: Joshua Pacio (c) vs. Yosuke Saruta (for ONE Strawweight Title)
Joshua Pacio (13-2) has the Wushu striking style that we have come to expect from Team Lakay fighters. He’s used to being matched with opponents who want to attack with submissions and takedown attempts and his defence has become increasingly sophisticated in this respect.
Yosuke Saruta (18-8-3) was not afraid to try and take BJJ black belt Alex Silva done which tells you everything you need to know about his main strength. He also hits hard and is not afraid to mix up punches and takedowns which makes the Japanese strawweight unpredictable.
Both men like to attack with hooks, they don’t feel the need to set up their power shots. Saruta also has the takedowns in his arsenal which could give him an edge but Pacio has beaten better grapplers and will be confident of defending his belt.
The entire ONE: “Eternal Glory” card will be available to view live and free in some territories using the newly launched app which you can download here. In the US it will be streamed on B/R Live.